Press release on Oxfam ‘Even it Up’ Campaign

Mike Hedges AM wants to Even It Up for the people of Swansea

The Swansea East Assembly Member Mike Hedges supports Oxfam Cymru’s Even It Up campaign to reduce extreme inequality which is pushing more people into poverty.

Globally the 80 richest individuals have as much wealth as the poorest half of the global population and in Wales 29% of households have an income below the minimum income standard. Updated figures released by the Office of National Statistics this week show that 25.6% of jobs in Swansea pay below the Living Wage.
Oxfam Cymru’s Even It Up bus stopped in Cardiff (on Thursday 15 October) as part of its UK tour to raise awareness of deepening inequality across the world. During its visit to the Welsh capital Oxfam Cymru spoke with Assembly Members about its ‘Blueprint for Change’, which sets out a number of policy calls for the new Welsh Government aimed at tackling economic inequality and poverty, including tackling the issue of low pay in Wales by making Wales a Living Wage Nation.

Mike Hedges AM, said: “I’m proud to support Oxfam’s Even It Up campaign to reduce extreme inequality. We know that since the 1970s economic inequality has grown faster in the UK than anywhere else in Europe, and it’s time for things to change.

“It was great to meet with Oxfam Cymru and learn more about some of the issues facing Wales today and I look forward to hearing more about their campaign in the future. As an Assembly Members I’m ready to play my part to tackle poverty and reduce economic inequality in Wales.”

While the income of the richest in Wales has continued to rise, overall poverty levels have changed little since 2010/2011, with 23% of households in Wales currently living in relative poverty.

Carys Thomas, Head of Oxfam Cymru said: “Economic inequality is a growing global issue and the stats clearly show that it’s an issue here in Wales. Oxfam Cymru wants to see a Wales where economic inequality is reduced. We want a Wales that allows people to prosper, a Wales where hard work pays, and where people can build a good life for themselves and their families.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

For more information about Oxfam Cymru’s ‘Blueprint for Change’ visit http://www.oxfam.org.uk/cymru

Press contact: Casia Wiliam, Oxfam Cymru, [email protected], 02920 803292 / 07887571687

Oxfam research last year demonstrated how extreme wealth also confers political power that can be used to influence rules and systems in favour of an elite at the expense of everyone else: http://policy-practice.oxfam.org.uk/publications/working-for-the-few-political-capture-and-economic-inequality-311312
Details of Oxfam’s Even It Up campaign, calling for action to reduce economic inequality, can be found at www.oxfam.org.uk/even